Cuff protector

ABSTRACT

The cuff protector is an accessory worn by the user to prevent a pants cuff from slipping between the heel of a foot and the user&#39;s footwear. The cuff protector includes an upper loop adapted to be releasably worn about the user&#39;s ankle and a lower loop adapted for releasable attachment to the heel of the user&#39;s footwear. The upper and lower loops are joined by a central connector or by a tether. Preferably, the upper loop, lower loop and the tether have adjustable lengths, respectively, allowing for adjustable and releasable attachment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to garment accessories, and particularly to a cuff protector that prevents pants cuffs from slipping between the heel of the foot and the shoe in order to prevent wear or fraying of the pants cuff, as well as preventing discomfort from walking or standing on a thick or hard hem around the cuff, and further preventing possible accidents due to the pant cuff being received between the user's foot and the upper surface and shoe, and further providing a desired aesthetic effect.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is common for wearers of footwear, such as high-heeled shoes, sandals and other shoes where the user's heel lifts from the upper surface of the shoe during walking, to have the cuff of the pants slip between the heel of the foot and the back of the shoe and/or the upper surface of the shoe when the shoe is open at the back. Friction between the heel of the foot and the shoe may result in wear to the pants cuff, with possible fraying of the cuff. Moreover, stepping on the cuff may prove to be uncomfortable, particularly when the cuff has a thick or hard hem or seam, e.g., the cuff of blue jeans.

Swiss Patent No. 675,193, published Sep. 14, 1990, and French Patent No. 2,642,278, published Aug. 3, 1990, describe similar heel protectors for protecting the heel of high heel shoes from wear that occurs when driving an automobile. Both protectors have a central body of flexible material that conforms to and covers the rear portion of the shoe upper. The central body is held in place by one or more lower loops that fit around the heel of the shoe and an open upper strap that can be wrapped around the ankle and fastened to a hook and loop fastener on the opposite side of the central body. Neither patent has any relevance to high heels or other footwear that lack a counter, rear quarter, or other rear portion of a shoe upper, and neither is concerned with preventing a pant cuff from slipping between the heel of the foot and the rear of the shoe (in both the '193 and '278 patents the rear of the protector or upper strap is below the rear of the shoe upper).

None of the above inventions, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a cuff protector solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cuff protector is an accessory worn by the user to prevent the cuff of a pant leg from slipping between the heel of the foot and the shoe or other footwear. The user's footwear may be high-heel shoes, sandals or any other desired footwear. The footwear may have a heel counter, rear quarter, or other rear portion of a shoe upper so that the cuff may slip between the rear of the heel and the upper, or may be open in the rear so that the cuff may slip between the bottom of the heel and the insole.

The cuff protector includes at least an upper loop adapted to be releasably worn about the user's ankle and a lower loop adapted for releasable attachment to the heel of the user's footwear, which may be formed from a single elastic or inelastic loop having a slider disposed thereon to form two adjustable size loops, or which may be formed from two separate loops joined by a common link. Alternatively, the cuff protector may have an upper loop adapted to be releasably worn about the user's ankle, a lower loop adapted for releasable attachment to the heel of the user's footwear, and a tether joining the upper and lower loops. The tether may be a third loop, or the cuff protector may be formed from a single loop with two sliders to form three loops. In another alternative, when the footwear does not have a gap around the heel, e.g., wedge or platform shoes, the cuff protector may have one or more screws, pins, or corkscrews for attaching the tether to the heel in lieu of the lower loop.

The upper loop, lower loop and tether may be formed from cord, elastic, rubber, nylon, leather, fabric or any other desired suitable material.

Preferably, the upper loop, lower loop and tether have adjustable lengths, respectively, allowing for adjustable and releasable attachment to the ankle and footwear. Buckles, sliding fasteners or any other suitable adjustable fasteners may be used.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a cuff protector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cuff protector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an environmental, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a cuff protector according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the cuff protector of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another alternative embodiment of a cuff protector according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an environmental, perspective view of still another alternative embodiment of a cuff protector according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of yet another alternative embodiment of a cuff protector according to the present invention.

FIG. 8A is plan view of an exemplary loop of an alternative embodiment of the cuff protector according to the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a side view in section of a sliding fastener of the cuff protector of FIG. 8A.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, the cuff protector 10 is an accessory worn by the user to prevent a pants cuff 12 from slipping between the heel of the foot an article of footwear 14. The user's footwear may be a high-heel shoe, as illustrated in the exemplary FIG. 1, sandals or any other desired footwear. The footwear may have a heel counter, rear quarter, or other rear portion of a shoe upper, or may lack an upper at the rear of the shoe, such as the high heel 14 of FIG. 1, so that the heel of the user's foot lifts from the upper surface of the footwear 14 during walking.

The cuff protector 10 includes an upper loop 20 adapted to be releasably worn about the user's ankle and a lower loop 18 adapted for releasable attachment to the heel 16 of the user's footwear.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the upper loop 20 and the lower loop are connected by a central bead 22. Central bead 22 joins the lower ends of the upper portion together to form upper loop 20 and, likewise, joins the upper ends of the lower portion together to form lower loop 18. The upper loop 20 and the lower loop 18 may be formed from two separate strands or cords, or may be formed from a single continuous strand or cord forming a closed loop that is gathered centrally by central bead 22. The loops 18 and 20 may be formed from elastic material with central bead being fixed to the loops, adjustability being provided by the elastic nature of the material, or the loops 18 and 20 may be formed from inelastic material with central bead 22 being slidable thereon to adjust the size of the loops 18 and 20 as necessary.

It should be understood that central bead 22 is shown for exemplary purposes only, and that any suitable fastener, such as a clasp, alligator clip or the like may be used. Further, central bead 22 may have a passage formed therethrough for receiving the looped material, allowing for user-adjustable positioning of the bead 22 with respect to loops 20, 18, i.e., the position of central bead 22 may be adjusted by the user to selectively adjust the circumferences of upper loop 20 and of lower loop 18.

Bead 22 may be formed from any suitable material and may have user-selectable ornamental and decorative properties. For example, central bead 22 may be sized, shaped, colored or patterned to match the user's garment 12 or shoe 14. Similarly, upper loop 20 and lower loop 18 may be formed from cord, elastic, rubber, nylon, leather, fabric or any other desired suitable material. The materials utilized in the formation of upper loop 20 and lower loop 18 may be selected in terms of color, material, pattern and the like to match the user's garment 12 or shoe 14. Further, loops 18, 20 may include decorative elements, such as additional beads, glitter, sequins, indicia or the like. It should be understood that lower loop 18 and upper loop 20 may each be formed from different materials.

The embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 includes a cuff protector 100 having an upper loop 120 and a lower loop 118, similar to loops 18, 20 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. However, cuff protector 100 further includes a tether 110, which is shown as a third loop defined and closed at its upper and lower ends by beads 122, similar to central bead 22, described above with regard to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, although it will be understood that upper loop 120 and lower loop 118 may be connected by a tether 110 formed from a single strand of cord, if desired. Additionally, the central portion may be formed from multiple loops, such as that shown, or from multiple straps (such as the strap shown for exemplary purposes in the embodiment of FIG. 5). The multiple loops or straps may further be held together by beads, clasps or other desired elements, as described above, to prevent lateral movement of the multiple straps (and the cuff protector) when tension in the cuff protector is relaxed.

Preferably, each bead 122 has a user-selectable position, as described above with reference to central bead 22, allowing the user to selectively adjust the circumferences of upper loop 120 and lower loop 118, to form a comfortable and secure connection with the user's ankle and with the heel 16 of the user's shoe 14, respectively.

As described above, the tether 110 may be formed from cord, elastic, rubber, nylon, leather, fabric or any other desired suitable material. Further, tether 110, upper loop 120 and lower loop 118 may all be formed from different materials. Tether 110 may also include decorative elements, such as additional beads, glitter, sequins, indicia or the like, as described above. Further, tether 110, upper loop 120 and lower loop 118 may include further decorative elements, such as additional beads, decorative ribbon, embroidery, glitter or the like, as desired.

The upper loop 120, lower loop 118 and tether 110 may have adjustable lengths, respectively, allowing for adjustable and releasable attachment to the foot and the footwear. Buckles, sliding fasteners or any other suitable adjustable fasteners may be used. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the cuff protector 200 includes an upper loop 220 and a lower loop 218, similar to the upper loops and lower loops described above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, and with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4. Upper loop 220 includes an adjustable buckle 240 and lower loop 218 includes an adjustable buckle 250, allowing for user-selectable and controllable adjustment of the circumferences of upper loop 220 and lower loop 218. A similar adjustable buckle may be applied to the loops 118 and 120 of the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the third loop forming tether 110 of FIGS. 3 and 4 has been replaced by a single strap forming tether 210, which may be formed from cord, elastic, rubber, nylon, leather, fabric or any other desired suitable material. Strap 230 further includes an adjustable buckle 230, allowing for user-selectable adjustment of the length of strap 230. It should be understood that buckles 230, 240 and 250 are shown for exemplary purposes only, and that any suitable means for adjusting length may be used.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the cuff protector 400 includes an upper loop 420, a lower loop 418, and a central bead 422, similar to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, each loop 418, 420 is formed a pair of cords, joined together at one end by central bead 422 and with their free ends 432, 430, respectively, being adjustably and releasably held together by sliding fasteners 412, 410, respectively. Sliding fasteners 412, 410 may be beads similar to central bead 422 or, alternatively, may be releasably locking sliding fasteners, such as exemplary releasably locking sliding fastener 520, to be described in detail below more particularly with respect to FIG. 8B.

FIG. 8A illustrates an exemplary loop 500, which may be an upper, lower or central loop as shown in any of the previous embodiments described above. Loop 500 is formed from a single cord having opposed ends 530, with the loop being secured and defined by a pair of releasably locking sliding fasteners 520. The releasably locking sliding fasteners 520 each have a user-selectable and adjustable position, allowing the user to selectively adjust the circumference of loop 500.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the releasably locking sliding fastener 520 includes a housing having a pair of opposed openings 540 formed therethrough, which receive the cord of loop 500. Adjacent strands of the cord are held together between resilient element 560, which may be a helical spring or the like, and a push-button 550, forming a spring-biased catch. In the locked configuration, the strands of cord are forced by the spring 560 into a substantially arcuate contour within the housing, and are held in place through frictional engagement therewith. Depression of the push-button 550 places the strands of cord into a substantially linear position, thus decreasing the frictional force on the cord and allowing the sliding fastener 520 to be easily adjusted with respect to the cord. It should be understood that any suitable releasable sliding fastener may be utilized and that sliding fastener 520 is shown for exemplary purposes only.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the lower loops of the previous embodiments may be replaced by one or more cords 370, each having an upper end and a lower end. The cuff protector 300 includes an upper loop 330, a central loop 320, and a pair of beads or other sliding fasteners 340, similar to that described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

The upper ends of the cords 370 are joined together by the lower bead 340, and a releasable fastener 310 is attached to each lower end of each cord 370 for releasable attachment to the heel 350. The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and 7 each include a lower loop, allowing for adjustable attachment to a heel, such as high-heel 16. However, for “wedge” or platform type shoes 360 having heels, such as heel 350, which have no gap between the sole and the floor, and for other forms of footwear which are not well adapted for usage with a lower loop as described above, releasable fasteners 310 may be secured to the heel 350. A corkscrew-type fastener, such as that shown in FIG. 6, may be used, allowing the user to releasably attach each lower end to the heel of the wedge-type shoe 360, for example. In this example, each corkscrew fastener 310 would be screwed into either side of heel 350. It should be understood that any suitable releasable fastener may be utilized. Further, cords 370 may alternatively be replaced by a single cord, allowing for attachment to the rear of heel 350 at one location. Alternatively, a third releasable fastener 310 may be added to the upper loop or central portion, allowing for further tethering of the upper portions of the cuff protector, with the third releasable fastener 310 being releasably joined to the rear of the shoe heel.

It should be understood that combinations of the above elements described with regard to the various embodiments may be used. For example, the pair of cords 370 of FIG. 6 may be used in combination with the tether 210 of FIG. 5 and the upper loop 120 of FIG. 4. Similarly, any combination of means for adjusting length and circumference may be used, along with any combination of user-selectable decorative elements, materials or indicia.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A cuff protector, comprising: an upper loop adapted to be releasably worn about a user's ankle; a lower loop adapted for releasable attachment to a heel of footwear worn by the user; and a central connector joining the upper loop and the lower loop, whereby the upper loop and the lower loop, being joined together, prevent a pants cuff from slipping between a heel of a foot and the footwear.
 2. The cuff protector as recited in claim 1, wherein said central connector comprises a third loop having opposed upper and lower ends, the upper end being connected to said upper loop, the lower end being connected to said lower loop, the third loop forming a tether.
 3. The cuff protector as recited in claim 1, wherein said central portion is a single strap having opposed upper and lower ends, the upper end being attached to said upper loop, the lower end being attached to said lower loop, the strap forming a tether.
 4. The cuff protector as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting the circumference of said upper loop.
 5. The cuff protector as recited in claim 4, wherein said means for adjusting the circumference of said upper loop comprises a buckle attached to the loop.
 6. The cuff protector as recited in claim 4, wherein said upper loop is formed from a pair of cords, each said cord having an upper end and a lower end, the lower ends of the pair of cords being joined together, the cuff protector further comprising a sliding fastener, the upper ends of the pair of cords being adjustably held together to form said upper loop by the sliding fastener.
 7. The cuff protector as recited in claim 4, wherein said upper loop is formed from a pair of cords, each of the cords having an upper end and a lower end, the lower ends of the pair of cords being joined together, the cuff protector further comprising a pair of releasably lockable sliding fasteners adjustably holding the upper ends of the pair of cords together to form the upper loop.
 8. The cuff protector as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting the circumference of said lower loop.
 9. The cuff protector as recited in claim 8, wherein said means for adjusting the circumference of said lower loop comprises a buckle attached to the lower loop.
 10. The cuff protector as recited in claim 8, wherein said lower loop is formed from a pair of cords, each said cord having an upper end and a lower end, the lower ends of the pair of cords being joined together, the cuff protector further comprising a sliding fastener, the upper ends of the pair of cords being adjustably held together to form said upper loop by the sliding fastener.
 11. The cuff protector as recited in claim 8, wherein said lower loop is formed from a pair of cords, each of the cords having an upper end and a lower end, the lower ends of the pair of cords being joined together, the cuff protector further comprising a pair of releasably lockable sliding fasteners adjustably holding the upper ends of the pair of cords together to form the upper loop.
 12. The cuff protector as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting the length of said central portion.
 13. A cuff protector, comprising: an upper loop adapted to be releasably worn about a user's ankle; a heel attachment element adapted for releasable attachment to a heel of footwear worn by the user; and a tether joining the upper loop and the heel attachment element, whereby the upper loop, the heel attachment element, and the tether prevent a pants cuff from slipping between a heel of a foot and the footwear.
 14. The cuff protector according to claim 13, wherein said heel attachment element comprises a lower loop.
 15. The cuff protector according to claim 13, wherein said heel attachment element comprises at least one cord having a first end attached to said tether and a second end having means for releasable attachment to the heel of the footwear.
 16. The cuff protector as recited in claim 15, wherein said tether comprises a third loop having opposed upper and lower ends, the upper end being connected to said upper loop, the lower end being connected to said lower loop, the third loop forming a tether.
 17. The cuff protector as recited in claim 15, wherein said tether comprises a single strap having opposed upper and lower ends, the upper end being secured to said upper loop, the lower end being secured to said at least one cord.
 18. The cuff protector as recited in claim 15, further comprising means for adjusting the circumference of said upper loop.
 19. The cuff protector as recited in claim 15, wherein said means for releasable attachment comprises a corkscrew attached to the second end of said at least one cord.
 20. The cuff protector as recited in claim 15, wherein said at least one cord comprises a pair of cords. 